Russian President Vladimir Putin has stashed billions in the Central African Republic in preparation for an "evacuation" in the case of an "emergency situation" in Moscow due to overwhelming disapproval of the war in Ukraine
An estimated $14.8 billion in cash and gold were sent for safekeeping in Africa under the order of President Putin. The enormous amount of wealth is housed in "underground warehouses" through the oversight of Wagner, a private military company and key ally to Russia.
Wagner has assisted Russia in the invasion of Ukraine through the recruitment of tens of thousands of mercenaries and convicts to supply the front lines with desperately needed manpower.
Putin and the head of the Central Africa Republic met last Friday to discuss the transfer of assets.
It was also announced that the Russian president "considers the Central African Republic as one of two options for evacuation in an emergency situation for himself and his loved ones, outside the territory of the Russian Federation."
A perfect place for Putin
As of 2019, according to the Human Development Index (HDI), the country had the second-lowest level of human development (only ahead of Niger), ranking 188 out of 189 countries.
The country had the lowest inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI), ranking 150th out of 150 countries.